The University Grants Commission (UGC) has proposed for setting up of regional centres of educational management as well as establishment of Centres of Excellence in Science and Mathematics education during the meeting of Consultative Committee of Parliament for the Ministry of Human Resource Development for teachers training. The meeting was held for “Proposed National Mission on Teachers and Teaching”.
As per the proposal the regional centres of educational management will come up at three Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Bangalore and one in National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA). On the other hand, centres of excellence in Science and Mathematics education will come up at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research etc. for development of specialized cadre of academy of teaching and teacher educators.
Addressing the meeting Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for HRD, said that the final contours of the proposed National Mission and its operational features are under discussion. The Mission, however, would address, on the one hand, current and urgent issues such as supply of qualified teachers, attracting talent into teaching profession and raising the quality of teaching in schools and colleges. On the other, it is also envisaged that the teacher mission would pursue the long term goal of building a strong professional cadre of teachers by setting performance standards and creating top class institutional facilities for innovative teaching and professional development of teachers.
UGC also emphasized on the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) which acts as an enabler in enhancing the capacity of teachers.
Speaking on the occasion, Members of Parliament underlined the requirement of a Mission on Teachers, as the shortage of teachers is very marked in the country. Members of Parliament also expressed concern regarding inadequate quality of education in the country. Some MPs stated the need for greater use of ICT in imparting teacher education. MPs also underlined the need for adequate infrastructure to be in place in teacher training institution and also that while releasing funds, UGC could address manpower requirements ahead of infrastructure requirements.
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